Gunpowder Milkshake is a crime-action film directed by Israeli filmmaker Navot Papushado who also wrote the script. This Netflix release is starring big names, namely Karen Gillan, Lena Headley, Michele Yeoh, Angella Bisset, and Paul Giamatti. This uniquely styled crime action film tries to present something different through its aesthetic approach.
A professional hitman, Sam (Gillan), gets on a mission to accidentally kill the son of a prominent mafia kingpin in town. In the process, Sam is also forced to help a little girl, Emily, because her mission is running out of control which is detrimental to the office. Being hunted by the mafia who want revenge, Sam is also the target of a fugitive from where he works. Sam was forced to ask her past teammates for help to solve this problem.
One uniqueness of this film is its diverse genre elements, not only action criminal but also film noir, western, thriller, to comedy. Its overly flashy, energetic, and colorful aesthetic approach beats even his own story. Apart from being slightly reminiscent of the crime films directed by Guy Ritchie or Tarantino with unexpected twists and coincidences in the plot, there’s nothing special about the story. One thing that is dominant in the story is the content of feminism and the superiority of men. “Man vs woman” feels so personal. What was wrong with men to have to be killed so brutally? Maybe the filmmaker has an agenda that I can’t understand.
The aesthetic approach is the strength of this film. The film feels very comic-like style with the insertion of humor in its absurd actions. There are two “eccentric” action sequences. One is a fight scene in the hospital, and the other is a car chase in the basement. The first is guaranteed to make you laugh because the action is so fresh and ridiculous at the same time. Others, not bad; it’s just that we have seen it many times in other films; the most memorable example is Snyder’s slow-mo action in the cafe in the climax segment. Both the artistic arrangement, lighting, and music do support each other strongly in many scenes. However, the fight choreography is still below John Wick’s.
Despite its colorful noir setting and impressive action style, Gunpowder Milkshake is simply a gender rivalry with a personal agenda. Talking about female heroes, many have brought this from a dozen genres, especially the most conspicuous superhero in the last five years. Still, they have never been presented this brutally. The existence of an 8-year-old girl becomes a small note among the excessive displays of violence. However, the funny thing is that in one scene, they change a swear word (f***) just because one person reminds them there is a little girl among them.